Dorothy Fields
Dorothy Fields (July 15, 1905 – March 28, 1974) was a pioneering American songwriter and librettist, renowned for her contributions to Broadway musicals and films. Born in Allenhurst, New Jersey, she was the daughter of Lew M. Fields, a prominent figure in vaudeville comedy. Fields grew up in New York City, where she initially pursued teaching and published poems before embarking on a successful songwriting career.
Fields's breakthrough came with her collaboration with composer Jimmy McHugh on the 1928 Broadway hit "Blackbirds of 1928," featuring songs like "I Can’t Give You Anything but Love, Baby." This partnership produced numerous classics, including "On the Sunny Side of the Street" and "Exactly Like You." Her work extended to Hollywood, where she wrote for films such as "Swing Time" (1936), which included the Academy Award-winning song "The Way You Look Tonight."
Throughout her career, Fields collaborated with notable composers like Jerome Kern, Cole Porter, and Cy Coleman. She co-wrote the book and lyrics for the Broadway hit "Annie Get Your Gun" (1946) with her brother Herbert Fields. Her other successful Broadway shows include "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" (1951), "Redhead" (1959), and "Sweet Charity" (1965). Fields was recognized for her contributions to music with her induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1971. She passed away in New York City in 1974, leaving behind a legacy of over 400 songs that continue to influence American musical theater.
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